Wanting to Become Citizen and file 1-400 but told had to renew Permanant Resident Card First?

[Shalom4us]

Wanting to Become Citizen and file 1-400 but told had to renew Permanant Resident Card First?
Hello, I have been a US Permanent Resident since 1997. My Permanent Resident Card is due to expire in 7 months. I spoke with someone at INS months ago and they stated I could apply for citizenship, which is what I would rather do than renew my permanent resident card.

The other day I called INS again to ask if I can still work if my citizenship paperwork is pending and my permanent resident card expires? I would think it took 6 months, but the lady stated since I have only 7 months until my permanent resident card expires that I need to renew that first. which is $450 and I believe the card is then renewed for 10 more years?

But I really want to do my citizenship as that was my whole intentions I don't want to have to spend $450 to renew card and than another $680 for citizenship , the require the same information the same fingerprints etc, so I'm think to just renew my permanent resident card and than apply in a couple years for citizenship?

My questions are:How long is the renewed permanent card good for? 10 years?

Could I just apply for citizenship now and have it before Oct of 2011? or do I have to apply to renew my permanent card?

If I apply for my renewal of us permanant resident card will my local ins center call me to pick up my temp card?

Has anyone ever efiled the 1-90 form and if so how do you like it?

Also I am married to a US Citizen, the same man for 14 years, is the 1-90 Renewal of Permanant Resident the correct form or do I have to use a different form?

 

[BigJoe5]

You just file the N-400 and you'll probably be a citizen before your card expires. Don't waste your money on an I-90.

 

[Bobsmyth]

the lady stated since I have only 7 months until my permanent resident card expires that I need to renew that first. which is $450 [/COLOR]

Per USCIS instructions, you are not required to renew your GC if more than 6 months remain before it expires when you apply for naturalization. What the lady told you is incorrect.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

 

[Jackolantern]

The other day I called INS again to ask if I can still work if my citizenship paperwork is pending and my permanent resident card expires? I would think it took 6 months, but the lady stated since I have only 7 months until my permanent resident card expires that I need to renew that first.

Asking for advice from USCIS people often leads to wrong answers and disasters.

If you file the N-400 with more than 6 months remaining on your GC, you are entitled to free I-551 stamping if your naturalization is still pending when your green card expires or is close to expiration. So don't file I-90 for the renewal.